by bridget n. pietsch
feature
The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF), celebrating 14 years as one of the top LGBT Film Festivals in the country, has built an international reputation for bringing premiere LGBT films to South Florida. This year’s nine-day Festival will run April 27-May 6, 2012 with screening locations in Miami Beach and Coral Gables. The MGLFF will feature more than 50 films from around the world, including short films, documentaries and feature-length movies that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. As one of the first LGBT Film Festivals of the calendar year, the MGLFF will be showcasing several films never before screened. The MGLFF kickoff women’s event will take place at Eros Lounge on Saturday, April 21st. “I’m a Celesbian,” a campy night of famous LBT women in film, will be showing sneak previews of some of our women’s line-up. There will be film fest ticket giveaways and more surprises. Cover is $10. Doors open at 10pm. At this year’s opening night reception on Friday, April 27, the MGLFF will be presenting the inaugural Lavender Heart Award to country singer Chely Wright, and the Pat-
rick Angel Award to former board member Mark “MarkyG” Gilbert. The Lavender Heart Award was created by the MGLFF to recognize an LGBT individual in the arts/entertainment industry who has demonstrated extreme acts of courage while promoting the LGBT community in a positive manner. Last year, Wright was one of the first country music stars to publicly come out of the closet. Wright recorded her struggle and journey through intimate video diaries and interviews with family members, her management team and key players in Nashville that made up her documentary, “Wish Me Away.” The Patrick Angel Award is an honor the MGLFF gives each year to someone who has brought a positive impact to art programs in the community and to the MGLFF in particular. MarkyG served on the MGLFF board of directors for seven years, hosted radio shows, is currently heavily involved in local LGBT nonprofit organizations such as the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and acts as the Co-Emcee at the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade each year. The MGLFF will be hosting five special events that include Opening Night, Centerpiece, Works in Progress, Friday Night Spotlight
and Closing Night. The opening and closing night parties will take place at The Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Screenings will be held at the Miami Beach Regal Cinema, Miami Beach Cinematheque, Coral Gables Art Cinema and The Wolfsonian on Miami Beach. Advance tickets are available now online and by phone. For tickets, membership information and updates on festival schedule, call 877-484-8499, or visit the online at www.mglff.com. Visit www.shemag.com for a web-exclusive: A behind-the-scenes look at the Miami G&L Film Festival. Venues: Coral Gables Art Cinema 250 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, FL The Wolfsonian 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL Regal Cinema South Beach 1120 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL Miami Beach Cinematheque 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL The Colony Theater 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL The Shore Club 1901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
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